We’ve spent years wondering about the villains and love interest(s) in Christopher Nolan’s third Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises – and now we at last have some definitive answers.
Christian Bale will return as the Caped Crusader in Batman 3 opposite two new foes – Oscar ceremony co-host Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle (a.k.a. the sinewy anti-heroine, Catwoman) and Inception‘s Tom Hardy as the bruiser referred to only as Bane.
Warner Bros. made the announcement via a press release that featured the following quotes by Chris Nolan – who also cowrote the Dark Knight Rises screenplay with his brother, Jonathan:
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story… I am delighted to be working with Tom again and excited to watch him bring to life our new interpretation of one of Batman’s most formidable enemies.”
Hathaway was previously shortlisted as one of the actresses being considered to appear in Nolan’s followup to The Dark Knight. She will follow in the footsteps of many an actress before her who played Batman’s sleek foe (and love interest) Catwoman onscreen – with perhaps the most memorable live-action incarnation being that of Michelle Pfeiffer in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns back in 1992 (we’ll pretend that Halle Berry movie never happened).
Pfeiffer as Catwoman.
Bane has a long history in the Batman universe as well – the character is not only a brutal, muscle-bound thug who can match the Caped Crusader in terms of physical prowess, he even once left Bruce Wayne paralyzed by snapping his spine during one of their battles in the epic comic book storyline “Batman: Knightfall”. It’s an excellent move on Nolan’s part to select a vicious villain like Bane to be the antagonist in the next entry in his gritty, hard-hitting trilogy about the dark vigilante. Just don’t expect Hardy to dress up like this for the part:
What do you think of this casting news for The Dark Knight Rises? Are you happy with Catwoman and Bane as the rogues? How about the actors playing them?
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Source: Warner Bros.
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@ Joey
You’re only focusing on the aesthetic of the character..yes Batista does have the body to play Bane, but does he have the acting skill to meet the standards of what’s expected from a Nolan film? I strongly say no..sorry but I’d much rather prefer someone more convincing in terms of character. I believe Tom Hardy is more than enough qualified to play the role Bane after watching his roles in Inception and Bronson. This is the third and final film for Nolan’s batman series and I think by now we should all know by now that Nolan strives for a more believable Batman when compared to the comics and other Batman films. Having chosen a wrestler like Dave Batista, I feel history would somewhat repeat itself (Batman & Robin), the man has only preformed in pro wrestling (not meaning to be biased) as far as I know, and just wouldn’t be as convincing in terms of being an intellectual equal to Batman in a psychological point of view for TDKR.
As for everyone else about Hathaway, I was a bit stunned as well for the casting of Catwoman but it’s no different from my first impressions when I found about Ledger being the Joker, and look at how that turned out. I have complete faith in the decisions that Nolan makes, because he hasn’t let us down so far in making a proper Batman film in my opinion. So then…let’s see what Hathaway can do.
Can’t wait till July 20th!!!
Yes Batista and yes he has done a movie.
i love bane
I have to say that from the beginning of this reinvention of Batman in this movie series I have been pleasantly surprised at every turn. So I am hopeful that even though the character choice and choice of actors seems unwise they will make a quality movie all the same.
Anne Hathaway is the terrible choice I cant see her as catwoman or in a action film, and her cat outfit sucks big time i thought every generation things should get better not worst. I wanted to see arkham city catwoman on screen, or Halle Berry. Her catwoman film wasn’t great but thats the writers and director fault but she has the looks of a cat and she has the talent to play as the bad girl. i dont think this will be has good then dark night. i thought the story would have left off with joker (finding another actor to play the role.) Joker will be in asylum seeing a counselor who’s harly quin then you know the rest. then the 4th film have catwoman, ridler, robin, nightwing, batwoman, bane,or posion ivy who ever. but no hathaway as catwoman. but if she wanted to play has batwoman or was i would’ve support her because batwoman know has Barbra is a good girl.
You are dumb
I agree with you. Halle Berry should have been the actress playing Catwoman. Hathaway sucks bigtime.
Nope. Wrong.